NGŨGĨ WA THIONG’O IN JALADA TRANSLATION ISSUE 01 – 22.3.2016

March 24, 2016

Following Jalada’s groundbreaking emphasis on translation in African Languages in its 2015 Language Issue, they reached out to Ngugi wa Thiong’o who graciously agreed to send a previously unpublished story for the inaugural Translation Issue. Professor wa Thiong’o is uniquely placed to be the first distinguished author and intellectual featured in Jalada’s periodical translations issue. He has, for many years, been the most vocal proponent in publishing in African languages.

The story; Ituĩka Rĩa Mũrũngarũ: Kana Kĩrĩa Gĩtũmaga Andũ Mathiĩ Marũngiĩ, was originally written in Kikuyu and then translated by the author into English as The Upright Revolution: Or Why Humans Walk Upright. In its many lessons, it is a reminder that we are one, and that in our togetherness we have the power to transform the future that we hope for ourselves.

Was gearing up to translate in Igbo and Hausa but I wasn’t fast enough for Nzube Ifechukwu and Mazhun Idris so now I have to settle for Efik(with help from my sister-inlaw of course) or Fulfulde(I see you Gambo Sagada) and pray earnestly that someone isn’t done with the first draft of translation of these languages by the time I turn in mine.

Already been translated into over 30 African languages as we speak…How’s that for going viral!!!

This author’s works are close to my heart as I grew up with most of them(I’m re-reading Weep Not,Child over the holidays…mmmhmmm)